Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised Marcus Rashford as “fantastic” after the England forward struck twice to seal a 2-1 Champions League victory over Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Thursday.
Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, broke his Barcelona scoring duck with a 58th-minute header before firing in a spectacular second nine minutes later. Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon pulled one back late on, but Barça held firm to open their European campaign with three points.
“For me it was the first step,” Flick said after the match. “He has to make the next step. Scoring here in England, in the Champions League, will give him confidence. That’s the most important thing.”
The 26-year-old had gone four games without a goal since joining Barça this summer, though he provided an assist in last weekend’s win over Valencia. With Lamine Yamal sidelined through injury, Rashford delivered in style — particularly with his second, a thunderous effort from distance that clipped the bar on its way past goalkeeper Nick Pope.
“I’m not surprised,” Flick added. “He’s a fantastic player with unbelievable skills and finishing. When we had the chance to sign him, I said we had to do it.”
Speaking after the game, Rashford described his strike: “It was a split second, I saw a gap and thought: try to get a shot off. Once I hit it, I knew it would be tough for the keeper to stop.”
Barcelona, who fell at the semi-final stage last season, have their sights firmly set on the trophy. “The ambition is to win it — nothing else,” Rashford said. “Playing for Barça is an amazing experience. I’m full of excitement and determined to help the team.”
Newcastle, meanwhile, rued missed opportunities as Gordon and Harvey Barnes both wasted clear chances in the first half. Manager Eddie Howe admitted his side needed more to overcome the Spanish giants.
“There was a lot of effort and commitment,” Howe said. “It was a good performance but not a great one. Against Barça, it has to be great. The fans were brilliant — I just wish we’d given them the first goal.”
